Writing For The Reader: An Enlightened Self-Interest
Think of your writing as a tree that falls in the forest. Does it make a sound?
As writers, we want our writing to “say” something to our audience, but “speaking” to the reader can be tricky, particularly if the goal is, as it should be, reader enjoyment. The writer is without the benefit of the multi-sensory body language, shorthand idioms, and voice inflections that spoken communication provides. The good news is that writing allows for a precision that often eludes us as we speak. However, writing only hits its mark if the sound that it makes is heard by the reader. The goal of the writer is to write in such a way that the reader wants…no, NEEDS to keep reading. The skillful writer paints a picture with words, thereby arousing the imagination and meeting the reader in that space that is most comfortable for him or her.
Finding this space in which the writer and reader can reside comfortably is the responsibility of the writer. Writing for the reader demands an understanding of the importance of reader expectations. Readers enjoy certain surprises, like cool plot twists and other devices that make the story interesting. What readers don’t like are the surprises that make reading a chore, and distract from that comfortable space the writer seeks to create. It’s as if the reader and writer enter into a compact. Writer, you provide a pleasant experience without making me work to enjoy it and I’ll gladly enjoy the sound your writing makes.
What are reader expectations?
Digestible sentences
Because readers expect proper sentence structure
Think of a sentence as the length of a breath. Therefore, the period at the end of a sentence is a natural place to take a mental breath. If you find that you’ve written a sentence that a reader will likely have to read twice, it’s undoubtedly too long. A quick review will likely disclose one or more points at which the reader will take a mental “breath”. Consider inserting a period there. A good rule of thumb is that the average sentence length is approximately twelve words. To that point, never underestimate the power of the short declarative. In creative writing, this extends to the one-sentence paragraph, as well. Chew on that.
Word choice precision
Because readers expect the right word, at the right time, in the right place
If the goal is reader comfort, word choice is paramount. When a reader stumbles or pauses over a word, the writer has missed the mark with their word choice, failing to meet the reader’s expectations in the moment. A good practice is to read your writing aloud or, better yet, have someone else read it aloud to you. As writers, we write in our heads before we commit the words to paper. Often, our mind fills in words that are not actually on the page because, in our mind’s writing, the words are there. An objective reading aloud not only catches typos and omitted words,but your own ear will tell you whether your word choice has hit or missed its mark.
Narrative cohesion
Because readers expect a story with no loose ends
With creative writing in particular, the narrative arc is everything. Good writing constructs a series of paths laid out to make a point. Sometimes the paths intersect or run parallel. Other times they may seem to run at cross-currents. If well constructed, these various threads, themes, or subplots contain the writing decisions that make the work interesting. There are a lot of ways to get from here to there, but always remember to resolve each of these pathways before the finish. Don’t leave the reader with dangling threads that flop around like untied shoelaces.
Good writing is like a cozy easy chair, one in which you settle contentedly, cocooned on all sides. It’s quite comfortable, as it should be. Conversely, there’s no discomfort like one of those skinny bicycle seats as your thighs burn, pumping uphill with gnats flying into your mouth and ears. You’re working extra hard with a pole stuck up your butt — talk about uncomfortable. Do your readers a favor. Offer them your best cozy chair. After all, you want them to hear the sound of your words as they fall in the forest of your reader’s imagination. That’s tough to do if they are squirming in their seat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Donald Brooks Jones is a writer, editor and book-builder. He is the co-founder of Alchemy Media Publishing and author of
LITTLE DID I KNOW: The Coming of Age of a Black Boomer https://alchemymediapublishing.com/?my-product=little-did-i-know
and
DATELINE: BRONZEVILLE: A Runny Walker Mystery https://www.datelinebronzeville.com/
Don attended Brown University, Georgia State University, and Florida State University College of Law. He lives in Atlanta.
